Having children or not is one of the most important decisions a couple has to make. It's a life changing choice and a difference in positions can cause deep rifts, but is calling it quits or conceding the answer? Can the difference be reconcilable? Will I or my partner change over time? This is a common discussion among couples and one that needs to be handled with careful thought and consideration. To help, Pye and Dr. Glen discuss their perspectives on addressing this conflict and making a sou...
Jul 05, 2022•30 min
How do we convey empathy through a digital medium? How can we communicate complex ideas in simple and relatable ways to a broader audience? Matthias Barker is a therapist and popular content creator on topics around mental health and personal development. Widely known for his viral short-form videos, Matthias has mastered the ability to relay complex messages in a way that viewers of all ages and backgrounds can relate to and understand. Communication is at the center of it all and Pye and Matth...
Jun 28, 2022•55 min
We talk a lot about our 12 week programs and how they're designed to help you become your own relationship expert in 12 weeks, hence our name, 12 Week Relationship. Lately, we've been getting a ton of questions asking what are the programs actually like? What is C.V.F.T.™? What do we actually do over the course of the 12 weeks? In this episode, Pye and Dr. Glen dive into the upcoming 12 Week Life & Relationships Group Coaching program and what you can expect while going through the process. ...
Jun 21, 2022•54 min
A relationship built around trauma can be difficult to spot because they can feel "right" in so many ways. They fulfill deep needs created by past traumas and we tend to mistake that fulfillment for closeness and connection. The bonds and beliefs created by these wounds can be so powerful that they can blind each partner to deep differences in values and interests that would otherwise throw the relationship into question. Pye and Dr. Glen discuss 5 common signs that a relationship is built aroun...
Jun 13, 2022•36 min
Conflict is stressful and it's easy to get lost in our elevated emotions. Nobody likes feeling attacked or one may be dead set on making their point. Either way, reason can tend to take a back seat and ego take the wheel, unnecessarily fanning the flames and prolonging the conflict. However, conflict is inevitable and necessary for growth and healthy dialogue is key to finding an effective resolution. To do so, Pye and Dr. Glen walk through 5 commonly made mistakes to avoid during conflict and p...
Jun 07, 2022•33 min
So far in our Roadmap episodes, we've discussed Desire and Quality Time as two key components for what makes a successful relationship and what happens when either are absent. Today, we're going to discuss the final piece of the Stupid-Simple Relationship Method: Sustainability. Sustainability dictates our emotional cost in maintaining a relationship. When we say a relationship lacks Sustainability, what we’re saying is that the emotional costs are so high that it’s eroding our Desire to continu...
May 31, 2022•36 min
Today, we're tackling some more of our community-submitted relationship questions. Our community is important to us! We love hearing your feedback and answering your questions. If you're curious about anything relationship related, you can DM us your questions on Instagram at @12weekrelationships. While we don't offer direct relationship advice, we may select your question for an upcoming Q&A episode. Don't worry, we 100% respect your privacy so we promise your name will remain anonymous. Th...
May 25, 2022•38 min
When relationships grow apart, we often hear people fall back on explanations like "We just got too busy," or "We don't live near each other anymore." But the reality is that the relationship ended because it was nothing more than a casual relationship that was supported by circumstance rather than deliberate choice. Within these situational relationships, or Situationships, Desire is not a factor because the Quality Time is created by a circumstance such as work or school, and Desire to pursue ...
May 17, 2022•23 min
Like any relationship dynamic, some level of fighting and disagreements is expected in a family. There are healthy ways to settle disagreements but toss in a bit of dysfunction and things can quickly spin out of control. For those constantly finding themselves in the middle of family drama, seemingly to no end, Pye and Dr. Glen lay out some real-life examples and tips for diffusing the situation as well as healthier alternatives to approaching sensitive issues with family.
May 10, 2022•38 min
Why is it that most of our acquaintances never turn into friendships? Along the same lines, why do most of our friendships tend to fade over time? What we're getting at here is Desire. Desire is essentially the "want" for the relationship. The emotional benefits that justify your efforts to create a new relationship or support your choice to spend time with an existing one. Without Desire, friendships and relationships fade away or simply never form. So what creates Desire and why can it be so f...
May 03, 2022•38 min
We're back with more community-submitted relationship questions! We love collaborating with our incredible community so if you're curious about anything relationship related, you can DM us your questions on Instagram at @12weekrelationships! While we don't offer direct relationship advice, we may select your question for an upcoming Q&A episode. We respect your privacy so we promise your name will remain anonymous.
Apr 26, 2022•31 min
Most of the relationships you create will fail to have long term significance. Don’t worry, there’s nothing wrong with you! This truth applies to virtually everyone. Of all the people you’ll encounter in your lifetime, a small portion will be a part of your social sphere. An even smaller portion will become close friends, and even fewer, intimate relationships. Who you spend your time with will also significantly influence who you become, and so because our resources are so limited, we owe it to...
Apr 19, 2022•15 min
A healthy relationship is energizing and allows for each partner to be the best version of themselves without judgement. On the other hand, an unhealthy relationship leaves you feeling drained, anxious, and hesitant to be your true self. To help better understand if you're in an unhealthy relationship, Pye and Dr. Glen walk through some common signs and behaviors that may indicate a need for change.
Apr 12, 2022•33 min
As soon as it happened, the questions began pouring in. We're talking about the Will Smith / Chris Rock controversy at this year's Academy Awards. So what really happened?? There are some interesting arguments being made including who's really at fault or whether this was about preserving masculinity and honor. In hopes of putting to bed some claims being shared on the internet, Pye and Dr. Glen provide some experts' insight on what this incident may have really been about.
Apr 07, 2022•46 min
Through years of research, Pye simplified a relationship into three simple core components: Desire, Quality Time, and Sustainability. These three make up a loop called the Stupid-Simple Relationship Method, or SSRM. If a relationship runs into trouble, it often means that one or more of these three components is missing or has begun to fade. This stupid-simple formula is designed to help you better understand why some relationships work and others don't. And this applies to all of your relations...
Apr 05, 2022•25 min
In order to tell whether a relationship is healthy or not, look closely at their body language and subtle behaviors. These will often reveal more than words. Certain behaviors can indicate differences in values that will later become major conflicts. Certain body language can also indicate how each partner regards one another. Keep in mind that some of these signs can be subtle. But too many in a row can be a huge red flag. Using years of observations, Pye and Dr. Glen have compiled a list of su...
Mar 29, 2022•43 min
Pye and Dr. Glen asked 30+ professionals, "What does a healthy relationship look like?" And not one could provide an adequate answer and we're talking counselors, marriage therapists, relationship experts, life/relationship coaches, psychologists, etc. Their answers were no better than the bad relationship advice floating out there in the world. You know, the statements that sound profound but offer little-to-no actionable guidance? Upon further research, Pye and Dr. Glen discovered deep flaws i...
Mar 24, 2022•44 min
Children are highly complex and intuitive. They're naturally filled with creativity, energy, and emotion. It's a parent's role to foster and nurture these qualities to ensure the children grow up with the necessary skills to healthily express themselves, handle conflict, and process emotions. Amanda Lee, creator of My Mommy the Artist, shares 4 great tips for communicating effectively with children and creating a safe learning environment as the children become exposed to new and increasingly co...
Mar 22, 2022•42 min
Our entire mission is to simplify the complex subject of relationships and to help in your journey by sharing practical and actionable guidance, backed by science and real-world research. Because we’re constantly looking for new science and data to improve every aspect of what we do, we're always creating new content! This is why we're creating a newsletter called the TWR Roadmap, where Pye and Dr. Glen have an opportunity to guide you along this journey in a step-by-step format. ➜ Join the TWR ...
Mar 17, 2022•26 min
Narcissism comes in many colors and Shake and Deepti are two different shades. Nuance is important when discussing narcissism and the role it plays in trauma-based relationships, particularly Shake and Deepti's. While that nuance seems to have been completely missed by the cast of Love is Blind, Pye and Dr. Glen are here to analyze Shake and Deepti's complex relationship and the heated exchange that ensued between Shake and the cast.
Mar 15, 2022•1 hr 10 min
Shayne and Natalie from Love is Blind Season 2 are a perfect example of trauma bonding. Not only that, but Pye and Dr. Glen make the argument that they are the worst possible match for one another. It may be hard to believe. After all, trauma bonding is powerful and can be mistaken for love. However, behind Shayne and Natalie's relationship are differences in values and world views that quickly unraveled by the reunion episode and all that remained seemed to be pain, blame, and clear signs that ...
Mar 10, 2022•48 min
In this episode, Pye and Dr. Glen react to moments from Love is Blind's Season 2 Premiere and reveal common dating mistakes and misperceptions that tend to disguise themselves as true love. Love is Blind is currently one of the hottest shows on Netflix. It's an exciting dating show where potential partners get engaged without ever seeing each other!
Mar 08, 2022•1 hr 1 min
People pleasing is a trauma-based behavior that causes one to tend to someone's needs at the expense of their own. People pleasing also goes beyond simply agreeing with someone or helping out of goodwill. Instead, people pleasers act out of fear of rejected by the other person. Pleasing the needs of others becomes their definition of love. While pleasing others may satisfy the people pleaser's immediate needs, this comes at the cost of confidence, identity, and happiness. Fortunately, people ple...
Mar 03, 2022•44 min
Raising children is tough. Add a divorce and a toxic ex-partner and it can become unbelievably complicated. Now the children are raised in two separate homes, each out of the control of the other. How do you provide a healthy childhood with only half the time and a stubborn ex who refuses to listen? Today, our guest, Amanda Lee of My Mommy the Artist, discusses the challenges of raising children with a toxic ex, how to put aside bitter feelings from the marriage, and the importance of setting th...
Mar 01, 2022•1 hr 6 min
Actions speak louder than words, especially in the case of relationships. We can see how two people truly feel about each other just by observing their body language. Sometimes these signs are subtle and other times, they speak volumes. As experts, Pye and Dr. Glen have intensely observed the body languages of couples over the years and share some common cues and signs that can indicate whether a relationship is healthy or not. In this episode, Pye and Dr. Glen discuss common body languages and ...
Feb 24, 2022•35 min
Trauma bonding can feel like real love and intimacy. This is because when we trauma bond, we're connecting over our wounds and that can provide temporary but deep comfort. However, this doesn't heal our traumas and only satisfies the needs of the wound. A relationship built around trauma bonding can quickly become toxic and co-dependent. To help you know if trauma is guiding your relationship decisions, Pye and Dr. Glen discuss common signs of unhealed wounds and how to begin healing in order to...
Feb 22, 2022•38 min
We'd like to welcome our very first guest on our show, Amanda Lee, creator of My Mommy the Artist. Amanda comes from an intense religious background that led her into marriage before she was ready. The marriage quickly unraveled and after over a decade of trauma and deteriorating health, Amanda left her relationship behind. She has since made tremendous progress in recovering and gaining back control of her life. Today, she shares the trauma from growing up in an intensely religious environment ...
Feb 17, 2022•1 hr 36 min
Time for community questions! Lately, we've had tons of questions coming in from our listeners through our social media pages and we'd like to dedicate some time to answer them! While we don't offer direct advice on social media, we do enjoy these opportunities to open up discussions with our wonderful community, so please feel free to continue sending us questions! We do deeply respect privacy, so should we share your question in our episodes, all names will remain anonymous.
Feb 15, 2022•49 min
Like dating advice, there's plenty of bad marriage advice out there. Most of them don't even consider the nuances of each relationship, individual, and situation. Instead, they offer one-size-fits-all solutions that not only miss the target, but can make things worse. Today, Pye and Dr. Glen react to 10 pieces of bad marriage advice and offer alternative approaches and insights for solving common marital problems.
Feb 10, 2022•49 min
There's a lot of terrible dating advice out there. Many of them sound great and helpful at first but can in fact, damage your relationship instead. To clear the air, Pye and Dr. Glen offer their thoughts on some of the most popular dating tips and how they actually enable toxic behaviors rather than encourage healthy relationships and perspectives on love.
Feb 08, 2022•55 min
